Runners begin the start of the Colfax Marathon in Denver on Sunday. In front is Patrick Rizzo, in red and black, who won the men's half-marathon. <a href="http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2012/05/photos-colfax-marathon-2012/36060/"><b>More photos.</b></a>

Trent Briney heads toward the finish line as the men's winner in the Colfax Marathon in Denver on Sunday. He finished with a course record time of 2:30:25. <a href="http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2012/05/photos-colfax-marathon-2012/36060/"><b>More photos.</b></a>

Trent Briney nearly made the Olympic team in the marathon eight years ago, and he broke the Colfax Marathon record Sunday, claiming a $1,000 bonus on a perfect morning for running.

But in a lot of ways he was like the thousands of ordinary runners who were just out doing what they love. They might have a hard time identifying with him — Briney averaged 5:45 per mile to win in 2 hours, 30 minutes, 26 seconds — but he sure could empathize with them.

“I have a lot in common with that everyday runner,” said Briney, 33. “We’re the same thing. We both have to get our (rears) out of bed, we both have to get to 10 miles in a half marathon or 20 miles in a marathon and keep going. That thought process is what we all have in common.”

Nearly 8,400 ran in the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay or 10-miler. Briney works five days a week at the Boulder Running Co., so he respects the ordinary runner.

“The amount of time in our life that we dedicate to the sport goes up at the elite level, but we’re rewarded more,” Briney said. “It’s exciting to finish a marathon, but it’s really exciting to win one. So in some ways, it’s easier.”

Two other Colfax records fell Sunday. Patrick Rizzo of Boulder won the half marathon in 1:08:09, and Brianne Nelson of Fort Collins claimed the women’s half in 1:17:04.

Nicole Chyr of Englewood failed to break the record she set in last year’s marathon, winning in 3:07:46, but she had a good excuse. It was her fifth marathon since winning Colfax last year in 2:59:01.

“I just haven’t taken enough breaks, so now I’m breaking,” Chyr said. “I’ll try and come back next year and beat my record on fresh legs.”

Briney graduated from Manitou Springs High School and ran for the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. At the 2004 Olympic Trials, he finished fourth with a time of 2:12:35 and missed making the team by 32 seconds. He was only 48 seconds behind Meb Keflezighi, who would go on to win a silver medal at the Athens Games.

Briney’s time then was a personal best by more than eight minutes. Problem is, eight years later it’s still his best.

“I’ve been chasing that level of aspiration ever since,” Briney said. “It’s been a hard road. You want to do your best.”

Still, he loves it.

“Feeling good and feeling fit, there’s something about that process that just feels healthy,” Briney said. “It feels nice.”

Marathoners who make Olympic teams generally have enough sponsorship support that they can focus on training and recovering from training. Briney has some, but he worked a regular shift Saturday at the shoe store. One of the owners is Mark Plaatjes, who won the marathon at the 1993 world championships.

“I walked out of there (Saturday) night after work, six or eight hours, and all the boys are like, ‘You’re running a marathon tomorrow?’ ” Briney said. “Plaatjes is like, ‘Good luck.’ It’s just kind of how the sport is, we love to run.”

Briney cherishes “going after goals and living a life I love,” but he also takes inspiration from the customers he meets at the store. That’s how the sport is too.

“You can be inspired by anybody,” Briney said. “Communicating with somebody who is a wonderful human being, finding what gets them up in life, and using that. And being gracious.”

Briney dropped out of the marathon Olympic Trials this year, but he intends to make a bid for the team in 2016, when he will be 37.

And in the meantime, he just might try running an ultra.

“Why not?” Briney said. “It sounds crazy, but it’s kind of fun. Just like the marathon, when you get to 20, you’re like, ‘Argh, six more miles!’ But it would be cool.”

The Post's ski and Olympics writer, Meyer covered his 12th Games last summer in Rio de Janeiro. He has covered five World Alpine Ski Championships and more than 100 World Cup ski events. He is a member of the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame and Colorado Running Hall of Fame. He regularly covers running and the Colorado Rapids.

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